Islington youngster Jack Gentili-Walsh was crowned under-12 world champion at 30kg at the 11th WKF Youth Championships in Croatia at the weekend.
The Sacred Heart School pupil travelled to Umag with sensei Raphael Veras in a squad of eight fighters from the Veras Academy and after a series of nailbiting bout claimed a superb gold medal.
Clubmate Nevaeh Thomas also had good reason to cheer as she won a silver medal in the under-12 girls’ under-35kg category.
And the young duo earned praise from their delighted coach, who said: “These kids have worked hard for this and it’s with pride that I watched them take gold and silver. They faced some incredible karate-ka’s but this is what they have worked for, their hard work has paid off!”
Veras Academy now look forward to the next challenge, in the English Karate Federation’s regional clash at the end of July.
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